UTA undergraduate researcher wins state honor

(Press-News.org) A student studying biological chemistry at The University of Texas at Arlington earned a state-wide award for her research on diazo compounds, the building blocks of some medications. Jenny Hoang, a senior, received the third-place award at the 2024 University of Texas System Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) conference held in El Paso in August.

“Honestly, I was so shocked that I won third place because I almost didn’t even apply for this program,” said Hoang, a Carrollton native who graduated from Creekview High School. “I wish someone would have recorded my reaction because I must have sat there for about five seconds with my mouth open after they announced my name.”

Hoang was among nine students from UTA, Tarrant County College, and Tyler Junior College who participated in the LSAMP Summer Research Academy with faculty at UT Arlington. The students were part of the larger UT System LSAMP program funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Since 1992, the UT System LSAMP program has received more than $28 million through multiple NSF grants to increase the number of underrepresented minority students pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It is a 14-member alliance comprising eight four-year colleges and six community colleges.

“The LSAMP program is a great example of how collaborative efforts can reap large rewards and serve as an impressive example of statewide commitment to improving enrollment, retention, performance and graduation of underrepresented groups,” said Kayunta Johnson-Winters, director of the Office of Undergraduate Research at UT Arlington and an associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry.

During the 10-week summer program, students worked alongside internationally recognized professors performing supervised research and attending meetings related to their fields of interest. They received a stipend of $4,000 for their participation and financial support to attend the UT System LSAMP conference, hosted by the University of Texas at El Paso.

“I was hesitant to even apply for the program because I thought I didn’t have the qualifications/experience to participate, but it was actually quite the opposite. People want to help you, so my advice is just to go for it!” said Hoang, who hopes to attend medical school after graduation. To improve her chances of getting in, she’s currently participating UTA’s Health Professionals Advisory Committee that mentors students on graduate school applications.

Brianna De Jesus said her participation in LSAMP has encouraged her to pursue an additional graduate degree.

“Before my summer LSAMP experience, I only intended to pursue a master’s degree; however, the program has inspired me to aim for a Ph.D.,” said the junior physics major from Ocala, Florida, who attended Vanguard High School. “My ultimate career goal is to research either theoretical physics (black holes) or particle physics (neutrinos) and teach and inspire others on a grand scale (via speaking and social media). Everyone can enjoy STEM fields, regardless of background; my goal is to create a platform where that can happen.”

“I would advise anyone thinking about applying to LSAMP, or really any other undergraduate research program, to commit to it and apply,” said Jaden Rankin, a junior biology major from east Dallas who attended North Forney High School. “I think research is one of the best things I have done as an undergraduate, and it has deeply influenced my life and academic career. I actively try to convince others in my life to get into research if they have the opportunity. Many people think if you aren’t in a major like the sciences you might not have any opportunities available, but there are!”

The application to participate in next summer’s program is expected to go live in November 2024, with applications due in February 2025.

The full list of scholars selected for the 2024 UT LSAMP Summer Research Academy, their projects and UTA faculty advisors:

UTA:

Jenny Hoang, advisor Joseph Buonomo – Investigating the Chemical Kinetics of the Esterification of Various Diazo Compound with N-Acetylglycine David Oyekola, advisor Habeeb Olufowobi – SoK: Modeling Post-Hoc Explainability in Clinical Decision Support Systems for Interpretability, Trustworthiness and Usability Jaden Rankin, advisor Alison Ravenscraft – Measuring the Effects, or Lack Thereof, of Toxins from Two Different Plant Families on the Spotted Birth Grasshopper Brianna De Jesus, advisor Andrew Brandt – Optimization of the Performance of a Microchannel Plate Photomultiplier Tube Tran Pham, advisor Kytai Truong Nguyen – Investigation of Endothelium-Targeting Nanoparticles for Treatment of Peripheral Artery Disease Tarrant County College:

Juvaria Syed, advisor Michelle Martin-Raugh – Predictors of Positive Work Outcomes for Direct Support Professionals • Minh Nguyen, advisor Qing Tang – Identification of Essential S. Aureus Genes for Infection Through Tn-Seq and Macrophage Phagocytosis Assays Tyler Junior College:

Kasey Villarreal, advisor Alan Bowling – Effects of Modular Degasser Design and Vacuuming Methods on Bubbles for Long-term Culture of Stem Cells in Polydimethylsiloxane Microfluidic Devices END